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Police and rescuers anchor their boats near Tuen Mun in Hong Kong on Tuesday as they continue to search for missing Ukrainian crew of the ill-fated Naftogaz-67 tugboat. -- PHOTO: AFP
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HONG KONG - DIVERS recovered two bodies from a tugboat that capsized in Hong Kong waters and searched for 16 more Ukrainian sailors believed dead after being trapped in the overturned hull last weekend, Hong Kong's government said.
The first body was found near the entrance of the vessel's auxiliary engine room early on Wednesday, government spokesman Michelle Ip said. It was not immediately clear where the second body was found, she added.
The Ukrainian tugboat Neftegaz 67 sank rapidly after it collided on Saturday with Chinese cargo ship Yao Hai in waters north-west of Hong Kong's outlying Lantau island. Six Ukrainians and a Chinese citizen were immediately rescued.
Eighteen Ukrainian sailors, aged 21 to 54, were trapped in the capsized vessel's hull.
Government spokesman Ip said rescuers will continue their efforts until the vessel is retrieved and the bodies located.
Hong Kong marine officials earlier said strong current and the upside down position have hindered their search for the missing sailors. A large Chinese salvage ship will be dispatched to Hong Kong from nearby waters in the coming days to lift the tugboat from the sea floor. -- AP
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